Football fanzines | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/footballfanzines
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:18:06 GMT2015-03-31T22:18:06Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Manchester United fanzine Red Issue prepares to say farewellhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/10/red-issue-manchester-united-fanzine-last-issue
<p>• Red Issue to publish final edition when United host Southampton on Sunday<br>• Fans mourn demise of magazine that has become part of matchday experience</p><p>Less than two years on from the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, another famous Manchester United institution is set to bow out after more than a quarter of a century. Red Issue, the fanzine that has spanned the club’s most successful years and so often sparked ire among opposing fans, will publish its final edition on Sunday when United host Southampton.</p><p>The demise of the magazine, which has been issued monthly since it first appeared in February 1989, has been greeted with sadness by United fans, for whom cries of “Red Issue” have become synonymous with the matchday experience over the years.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/10/red-issue-manchester-united-fanzine-last-issue">Continue reading...</a>Manchester UnitedFootball fanzinesFootballSportSat, 10 Jan 2015 16:45:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/10/red-issue-manchester-united-fanzine-last-issuePhotograph: PRRed devilry … Many Manchester United fans are sad to see the popular fanzine Red Issue come to an endLes Roopanarine2015-01-10T16:45:05ZManchester United fans in Red Issue poll give David Moyes timehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/11/manchester-united-fans-red-issue-poll-david-moyes
• 72.98% in fanzine survey back manager for time being<br />• Only 7.26% of hundreds polled want him sacked now<p>David Moyes retains the support of 72.98% of hardcore match-going Manchester United fans, according to a poll by the influential club fanzine Red Issue.</p><p>The findings are broadly matched by a survey carried out by United We Stand, another of the most-read fanzines about the 20-times champions.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/11/manchester-united-fans-red-issue-poll-david-moyes">Continue reading...</a>David MoyesManchester UnitedFootball fanzinesFootballSportSat, 11 Jan 2014 17:28:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/11/manchester-united-fans-red-issue-poll-david-moyesOwen Humphreys/PADavid Moyes shows his frustration during Manchester United's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Sunderland. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PAOwen Humphreys/PADavid Moyes shows his frustration during Manchester United's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Sunderland. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PAJamie Jackson2014-01-11T17:28:59Z'Rangers' starting in the lowest league is a victory for fans over an inept elite | Mike Smallhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jul/16/rangers-lowest-league-victory-fans
A grassroots network has exposed the connivances at the top of the game. Now's our chance to rebuild Scottish football<p>It's worth getting a few things straight before kick-off. This isn't about &quot;relegating&quot; Rangers. Rangers don't exist any more. This isn't about <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/25/rangers-craig-whyte-police-investigation?INTCMP=SRCH" title="">Craig Whyte</a>. Craig Whyte's not around any more. It's about a culture of failure, a total lack of transparency and connivance from the very top of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/scottishpremierleague?INTCMP=SRCH" title="">Scottish Premier League</a> and the Scottish Football Association in a rigged cartel that has brought Scottish football to total crisis. The good news is that the inept coterie at the top of the game has been bypassed by ordinary fans and smaller clubs. This is what democracy looks like.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jul/16/rangers-lowest-league-victory-fans">Continue reading...</a>RangersScottish PremiershipFootballScotlandMediaFootball fanzinesSocietyUK newsMon, 16 Jul 2012 09:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jul/16/rangers-lowest-league-victory-fansAndrew Milligan/PADavid Longmuir, chief executive of the Scottish Football League, right, and Jim Ballantyne, the SFL president, at a press conference at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Friday. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PAAndrew Milligan/PADavid Longmuir, chief executive of the Scottish Football League, right, and Jim Ballantyne, the SFL president, at a press conference at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Friday. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PAMike Small2012-07-16T09:30:01ZNewcastle United fanzine editor on Andy Carroll's transfer to Liverpool: 'He knew he wasn't wanted' - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2011/feb/01/newcastle-united-andy-carroll-liverpool-video
Newcastle United fanzine editor and friend of the striker Steve Wraith claims new Liverpool number 9 was forced out of the club <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2011/feb/01/newcastle-united-andy-carroll-liverpool-video">Continue reading...</a>Andy CarrollLiverpoolNewcastle UnitedMike AshleyTransfer windowFootballFootball fanzinesSportTue, 01 Feb 2011 13:19:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2011/feb/01/newcastle-united-andy-carroll-liverpool-videoJoe Giddens/EMPICS SportAndy Carroll says Newcastle asked him to hand in a transfer request before his 35m move to Liverpool.
Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS SportGuardian Staff2011-02-01T13:19:00ZFootball managers scouting for fans' online libelshttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/23/vicious-online-soccer-fans-libel
Lawyers tell leading soccer clubs their brand image can be ruined by 'vicious' supporters<p>Football clubs are being advised to scour online forums in search of potentially libellous postings about their managers and top officials.</p><p>Defamation lawyers have told clubs their reputations are being damaged by irate fans letting loose online. Some of the largest clubs have started to monitor unofficial fan sites.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/23/vicious-online-soccer-fans-libel">Continue reading...</a>FootballChampionshipFootball fanzinesInternetSportUK newsSat, 22 Aug 2009 23:06:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/23/vicious-online-soccer-fans-libelAnushka Asthana2009-08-22T23:06:15ZLet's learn Hillsborough-speak!http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport1
<p>So, you want to know what's really going on at Wednesday, but it feels like everywhere you look there are bland statements and half truths that say: &quot;Keep your fingers out of our business matey!&quot; Well not to worry, 'cos here's a handy War Of The Monster Trucks guide to understanding Hillsborough speak. Don't leave for the game without it!</p><p><strong>IN THE BOARDROOM</strong></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport1">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 20 Nov 2001 17:52:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport1Paul Taylor2001-11-20T17:52:58Z25. Sheffield Wednesdayhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport
Andy Selman, of famous Wednesday fanzine War Of The Monster Trucks, puts everything into context<p><strong>What's going on at the moment?</strong></p><p>A downfall from two cup finals and qualification for Europe in 1993 to relegation at the end of the decade and almost going down to the Second Division last season. We're &pound;16m in debt as well...</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 20 Nov 2001 17:52:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sportGuardian Staff2001-11-20T17:52:47ZStrikes, money and playershttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport3
Steve Walmsley isn't sure the PFA are going about things in the right way; here's his solution to save the game<p>As I write, it's the day before the derby against our porky neighbours and in the last week I have read articles about a possible players strike, listened to daft Dave Bassett warble on about the merger (not that again!) and contemplated the future of the game. Now I for one am not sure that poor viewing figures for the new ITV Premiership programme are just about scheduling. Is this the first signs of alienation from much of what is represented by the Premiership; exorbitant wages for players, too much corporate influence; and exclusion by high prices? Let's hope so, as the fact is the game is much bigger than the Premiership but it is being undermined and possibly ruined by it.</p><p> The massive gap between the Premiership and the Nationwide is now spreading to the Premiership itself, effectively those who will prosper, those who will be OK and around 10 clubs for whom survival is the only objective. What faced Wednesday following relegation will face others, but even harder, as they become increasingly reliant on TV income and as the so-called &quot;new&quot; fans attracted by the lure of big names drift away when only struggle is in prospect; witness Boro who cannot now sell all their season tickets. Coventry are in even more dire financial trouble than Wednesday. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport3">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 20 Nov 2001 17:52:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport3Guardian Staff2001-11-20T17:52:23ZAbout War of the Monster Truckshttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport4
What's the title all about? And the editor's a Labrador, you say? You'd better read this before you go any further...<p><strong>The Title</strong></p><p>The fanzine gets its name from the disgraceful events following the Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester United League Cup Final in 1991. We were all there of course, but had set our videos to watch the match and celebrations. The game was on ITV and all the regions showed after-match celebrations with BFR and the lads receiving the Cup. All that is apart from L**dshire (Yorkshire) TV who chose instead to show War of the Monster Trucks. Well up yours YTV, your graphics are crap and your presenters are dumb and you're as intellectual as the Daily Mail. Angry still us? You bet. And grovelling on Goals on Sunday simply doesn't wash. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport4">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 20 Nov 2001 17:51:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport4Guardian Staff2001-11-20T17:51:58ZWOTMT editor Sir Stanley Headfire says: It's a dogs lifehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport2
<p>There's nothing I like more than the rub a dub dub of the Saturday morning sound of the washing machine going round and a round full of the Selmanettes collection of replica kits. Blue and white stripes mingle with yellow flashes and the odd glimpse of a Chupa Chups advert that has my taste buds slavering with Pavlovian juices.</p><p>The concept of having to have a new replica shirt (and matching shorts, socks, shin pads and hankie) every three weeks means very little to me with my limited wardrobe of only a small leather collar. But, after all, one dog's attire is another person's fetish. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport2">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 20 Nov 2001 17:49:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/20/footballfanzines.sport2Guardian Staff2001-11-20T17:49:42ZWhy you should never go backhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport2
Chris Hall, editor of Rootshall.net, on why Dave Webb should have never returned to Southend.<p>You should never go back. That's what Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen always tell us. However when it came to Southend and the return of David Webb to Roots Hall, I rashly cast their words aside amid the europhia. Southend were 'different' and therefore things would be OK.</p><p>After two successive relegations and having to witness at first-hand Alvin Martin slowly spreading the evil West Ham empire to Roots Hall, Southend fans were surely allowed to get excited about the news that Webby was returning to the club he had taken to the top of the First Division at the beginning of the 1990s. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport2">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportThu, 01 Nov 2001 19:10:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport2Guardian Staff2001-11-01T19:10:36ZAbout www.rootshall.nethttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport1
<p>Rootshall.net has been in existence for around six months - initially it was quite unprofessional in that I didn't launch it with the content completed, but have rather added it as I've gone along. </p><p>I like to refer to it as a steadily improving shambles. I have travelled myself and therefore know what it is like to be wholly reliant on websites for information on the Shrimpers. The site therefore is intended to be a service for all the Southend exiles (whether they be in Suffolk or Spain, Bognor or Brampton) as well as being a showcase to hopefully enhance my career in website production/online journalism.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport1">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportThu, 01 Nov 2001 19:10:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport1Chris Harris2001-11-01T19:10:17Z24. Southend Unitedhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport
Chris Harris, editor of Southend webzine Rootshall.net, takes you on a tour around the club.<p><strong>What makes you so different?</strong><br /></p><p>Southend supporters are different primarily because they don't follow the masses and support a more fashionable London club, unlike the majority of Essex. The club's pure inconsistency over the years has meant at the very least it is an interesting club to follow; unlike the predictability of the fashionable clubs in the Premier League. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sport">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportThu, 01 Nov 2001 19:09:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/01/footballfanzines.sportGuardian Staff2001-11-01T19:09:57ZIn defence of Stokehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport2
So Stoke is the least desirable place to live in Britain, is it? A View To A Kiln editor Anthony Bunn knows otherwise<p>So Stoke-on-Trent is bottom of the league table for &quot;most desirable place to live&quot;, eh? Mmm, so Derby's up there in fifth, eh? And what was that, the bloke responsible for these findings had a business that didn't do too well located in the Potteries?</p><p>To me, cities are like having a big fat backside. You can't really change them, you just have to do the best with what you've got, no matter how pimply it is. I'm sure living in the likes of Chester, Durham and York must seem better than living within the ST postcode to some. But not to me.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport2">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportWed, 10 Oct 2001 16:57:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport2Guardian Staff2001-10-10T16:57:53ZAbout A View To A Kilnhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport1
<p>AVTAK was born in late 2000 and named in honour of the bottle kiln used in the pottery industry. The first issue was a cobbled-together 16-pager but it sold out, amazingly, and produced the funds to make subsequent AVTAK's a lot better. </p><p>I probably won't win any presentation awards (mind you that's what fanzines shouldn't be about) but I've recently gone to a professional printer and it's now starting to take shape and get it's own identity. Although it may seem on the small side (28 to 36 pages) it's usually choc full of reading.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport1">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportWed, 10 Oct 2001 16:43:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport1Anthony Bunn2001-10-10T16:43:24Z23. Stoke Cityhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport
Anthony Bunn, editor of Stoke fanzine A View To A Kiln, takes you on a tour around the urine-free Britannia<p><strong>What makes you so different</strong></p><p>The city of Stoke-on-Trent is made up of six large towns and no real city centre. Unlike some other cities with two or more teams, we attract support from all areas of the city, and also from the outlying areas from Uttoxeter to Shropshire, and the Peak District to South Staffordshire. We are immensely proud that Stoke City was an original member of the football league.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sport">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportWed, 10 Oct 2001 14:11:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/10/footballfanzines.sportGuardian Staff2001-10-10T14:11:41Z22. Heart of Midlothianhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport2
Cal Walker Burns, of fanzine Always the Bridesmaid, takes us around Tynecastle<p><strong>What makes Hearts so different</strong></p><p> In Scottish footballing parlance, Hearts have been stuck with the annoying and spurious label &quot;Scotland's third club&quot;, after Celtic and Rangers. This meaningless appellation says very little about a proud and spirited club more accurately described, perhaps, as Scotland's most consistent underachievers. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport2">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 25 Sep 2001 16:51:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport2Guardian Staff2001-09-25T16:51:25ZMoney talks as Scottish game crieshttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport1
<p>The continued - read perpetual and strengthening - dominance of Rangers and Celtic in Scottish football, has effectively reduced the contribution of the other Scottish League clubs in general, and the other 10 sides in the Premier League in particular, to mere bit parts on the great stage of Scottish soccer. In recent years clubs like Hearts, Aberdeen and Dundee United, who matched Glasgow's finest throughout the 80s, have struggled to keep pace in a climate of rapidly rising transfer fees and spiralling wage costs. Football, in fact, has become a great bloated gargoyle, gobbling up and spewing out cash in equally huge amounts, though the division of such spoils has become increasingly uneven with some clubs profiting enormously from its popularity while others struggle to simply survive. </p><p> As Rangers and Celtic, the cosily named &quot;Old Firm&quot;' - an epithet much loved of Scotland's increasingly effete sports hack fraternity - pour exorbitant amounts of dosh into building an effective playing squad. Between them, Rangers and Celtic have spent over &pound;150m (circa &pound;107m net) in the last five years or so. Meanwhile, Hearts have been forced to make swinging cuts to their wage bill, sell their best squad members at knockdown prices, and scramble about in the free for all (literally) of the Bosman market or the cut-price bargain basement of football produce, in an effort to keep the debt at manageable levels and put a half-decent side on the park.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport1">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 25 Sep 2001 16:17:43 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport1Cal Walker Burns2001-09-25T16:17:43ZAlways The Bridesmaidhttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport
Cal Walker Burns introduces the first Scottish fanzine to grace our site<p>ATB has just chalked up its 39th edition, with issue 40 due out soon. It's a well-written quality magazine that is safe for your children and/or your old Gran to read. Rants are limited, and co-editors Lewis Broadie and Jonny Marshall demand and expect the best from their hard-working band of contributors. Regular features include Zine View, View From A Less Informed Supporter, On The Road, Luanjo Speaks and my own Gorgie Road column, a dark and cultured history of Heart of Midlothian in the present and all the domestic and universal issues which relate to their existence.</p><p>ATB is on sale at the following places: RS McColls - St James Centre, Lothian Road and Shandwick Place, Edinburgh; Tynecastle Post Office, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh; Watersons, West End of Princes Street, Edinburgh; Virgin, West End of Princes Street, Edinburgh. The magazine can also be bought from Sportspages in Manchester and London. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sport">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportTue, 25 Sep 2001 16:04:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/footballfanzines.sportGuardian Staff2001-09-25T16:04:38ZThe Year that had it all - part onehttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/13/footballfanzines.sport3
<p>For Boro fans, the 1996/97 season had everything. We are reflecting this in a new 10-part serial that looks back at our legendary year, the first part of which follows. Please visit us at <a href="http:// www.boronet.co.uk">www.boronet.co.uk</a> to find out what happened next. Though the events should be as tattooed on your memory as they are on ours! </p><p> <strong>PART ONE</strong></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/13/footballfanzines.sport3">Continue reading...</a>Football fanzinesFootballSportThu, 13 Sep 2001 11:22:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/13/footballfanzines.sport3Guardian Staff2001-09-13T11:22:03Z